[AllRounder]

SquiJig is releasing a new square soon, with double the number of scribe notches. I’ve gone back on forth on one of these nicer square for a little while. I use a Craftsman that’s a Johnny Square clone currently. It works, but I’m getting the itch for something different. The visibility on the numbers isn’t great, and the actual square edge is pretty rough. A Johnny Square makes sense to me, money-wise, but the new SquiJig looks pretty nice as well. @superseal, how has yours lasted? Would you buy it again? Thanks!

 

[AllRounder]

My nephew bought it for me and one for himself...we love'm and they're holding up perfectly fine. I was gonna get the Martinez, but he beat me to the punch.

Is there anything you’d change on the square?

 

[AllRounder]

Is it more accurate than the $20 swanson from home depot? Both have most of the same features (scales etc). Are the specialized features really worth the additional cost? Is it more likely to grow legs and walk off?

It should be more accurate, being fully machined vs the Swanson being cast (I think). For some, the features are worth it, especially if you’re doing a lot of layout. It is probably more likely to grow legs, but you’ll also be more aware of it instead of a $20 Swanson.

 

[AllRounder]

There’s more accurate tools to do anything a speed square can, but why compromise? Why not start with the most accurate line, degree mark, or rafter head cut you can? Even if the cut is a little off, it makes sense to start as accurately as possible. I have no doubt you can cut just as precisely with either square, but it’s a bonus for some to have a dead-on square tool that can survive drops from a 4 story roof and be just as accurate.

 

[AllRounder]

How accurate do you need to be for framing? Are you doing all your cutting on a perfectly dialed in miter saw? Are you pushing the lumber through a jointer to be sure it's perfectly straight?
The reality is that if you consistently hit within a 1/16", you're damn good framer.
If you like the tool because it's cool, or feels good in your hand, or it just has a great paint job, then by all means buy it. You should buy tools that you enjoy using.

Pounder, you’re right. Most framing lumber is not perfect. I’m used to KD Doug Fir, #2 or better, so mine is actually pretty good just off the stack. Additionally, with more and more engineered lumber being used, jointed edges or close to them are becoming more common. I think we’re saying pretty much the same thing, just from different directions. I’m saying that even though the cut won’t necessarily be perfect, starting with the best line possible isn’t a bad idea. If I’m understanding you correctly, you’re saying that since framing lumber isn’t the best reference surface, it’s not necessarily worth using a highly accurate square. I don’t disagree at all, but like DWB is saying, there’s carpentry behind framing that these are useful for, and even in framing, enough engineered or high quality lumber that it seems like it could make a difference. Ultimately, we can agree on being within a 16th makes a good, precise framer, and that some tools can be bought primarily because they make you happy to use. I personally use a $5 Craftsman clone of a Johnny square, so I don’t really have a dog in the fight, but I’m considering a nicer square eventually and value everyone’s input.

 

[AllRounder]

Well, if you’re going to buy a fancy speed square, you might as well buy some fancy framing squares. . . .
View attachment 563989

Large Framing Squares

Martinez hammers and tools are sleek and strong, featuring top of the line concepts and materials, and in small production batches.

martineztools.com

Or you can get one of these bad boys

 

[AllRounder]

$299. Not sure i see the benefit of titanium, but i could see getting one in stainless.

I’m not sure if it’s worth the price, but you can flex it to the ground from a foot up with your body weight and it’ll come back dead straight. Mark Martinez did a demo of it at World of Concrete.